NOUREDDIN AND THF BEAUTIFUL PERSIAN. 297

The two queens continued to live together in the same friend-
ship and union which they had hitherto done, and were each
well contented with the equality which King Camaralzaman ob-
served in his conduct towards them. After a short time had
elapsed, he sent messengers to his father, King Schahzaman,
who, overjoyed to hear that his beloved son was still living,
came in great pomp to see him, and remained a long time as
guest at Camaralzaman’s court, where the king of China sub-
sequently arrived. The greatest rejoicings consequently took
place throughout the island, until the two kings returned to their
own dominions, where they reigned happily for many years.

SS

THE HISTORY OF NOUREDDIN AND THE
BEAUTIFUL PERSIAN.

TZ HE city of Balsora had been, for a long time, the
| [R capital of a kingdom which was tributary to the
" caliphs. The king who ruled over it during the life
of the caliph Haroun Alraschid, was called Zinebi,
The caliph and this king were sons of two brothers, and were
consequently cousins. Zinebi, who was unwilling to trust the
administration of his government to one vizier only, made choice
of two, Khacan and Saouy.

The character of the former was distinguished by mildness,
liberality, and kindness. Saouy, on the contrary, was a very
different man, and was disliked by every one who came near
him without any distinction of rank or quality. Besides this,
his avarice was so great, that instead of doing good and deriving
credit from the immense wealth he possessed, he even denied
himself the common necessaries of life. He felt great hatred
for Khacan, whose benevolent and generous actions he always
endeavoured to represent in a bad point of view, and to the dis-
advantage of that excellent minister. One day the king ordered
Khacan to purchase for him a slave, who, perfect in beauty and
in all exterior charms, should, above everything, possess a well-
cultivated mind.

Saouy was jealous of the honour done Khacan by the king ©